Charlie Owens was born on February 22, 1932 (some records cite 1930) in Winter Haven, Florida — a native son of Polk County who rose to become a pioneering figure in professional golf. Growing up in segregationera Florida, Owens learned the game of golf by caddying and helping maintain the course where his father worked, the Willowbrook Golf Course (then a ninehole layout near what is now Polk State College). Despite his humble beginnings, Owens developed a lifelong passion for golf and taught himself a unique crosshanded grip and distinctive style to accommodate injuries and obstacles.  

After a stint in the U.S. Army during the Korean era, Owens suffered serious injuries during a parachute jump at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in 1952. These injuries left him with both knees and his left ankle impaired, yet he refused to let it end his golfing ambitions.  

In 1967 Owens turned professional, and by 1970 he joined the PGA Tour. Despite a limp and using an unconventional crosshanded grip, he won the 1971 Kemper Asheville Open and the 1974 Florida Open, marking significant victories in his career. He later joined the Senior PGA Tour and claimed two additional wins in 1986: the Treasure Coast Classic and the Del E. Webb Senior PGA Tour Roundup.  

Beyond his tournament successes, Owens became known for advocating access and change within golf — he protested the U.S. Golf Association’s ban on golf carts for players with disabilities and pushed for recognition of golfers with impairments.  

His accolades include induction into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame (Class of 1987) and the African American Golfers Hall of Fame. Owens passed away September 7, 2017 in his hometown of Winter Haven at the age of 85, leaving a legacy of resilience, innovation, and community inspiration.  

In the world of Polk County sports, Charlie Owens stands out not only for his achievements on the course but for overcoming adversity, remaining connected to his roots, and paving the way for future generations of golfers in his community and beyond.